Written questions by Wood.

Whether any special adviser since July 2024 has had Developed Vetting approved with mitigations following a (a) borderline conclusion and (b) recommended refusal from UKSV.

National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance applications, including Developed Vetting, are rigorously assessed within a robust governance framework. UKSV works closely with departmental vetting risk owners to balance risk mitigation and operational demands with assured and effective national security safeguards. In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters. To reveal such details could prejudice national security and would provide insights into the scale and nature of the UK’s sensitive workforce and the thresholds of our security safeguards.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2026, to Question 121762, on Lord Mandelson, and to the answer of 31 March 2026, to Question 115894, on Jeffrey Epstein, whether the detailed information on Lord Mandelson's security clearance will be published in the Volume 2 of the Humble Address response.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

If he will place in the Library a copy of the report into the review of the vetting process led by Sir Chris Wormald.

This document has been deposited in the House Library.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson’s STRAP clearance was a separate process to his Developed Vetting clearance; and whether it was subject to a separate (a) FCDO and (b) UKSV (i) review and (ii) recommendation.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2026, to Question 122717, on Civil Service: Redundancy, whether the departures of (a) Sir Simon Case, (b) Sir Chris Wormald and (c) Sir Oliver Robbins fall under the classification of Mutually Agreed Exits, as set out in the Annex 6F document.

It is a longstanding policy not to comment on HR matters.I refer to my answer for PQ 88716. Details of any payments made to permanent secretaries are published in their relevant Department Annual Report and Accounts.

What the reason was for the time taken for officials to inform the Prime Minister of FCDO information on Lord Mandelson’s failed security vetting during the Humble Address response; and whether there were discussions on the release of that information to the (a) ISC and (b) House of Commons.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.

Whether there are any rules and guidance that prevent the sharing of an outcome of a security vetting with another government department for (a) an ambassadorial and (b) a head of mission senior civil servant appointment.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement provided by the Prime Minister on 20 April 2026 titled Security Vetting, Official Report, Column 24-25.

On what dates did Morgan McSweeney obtain (a) Security Check and (b) Developed Vetting clearance when he worked in Downing Street.

We do not comment on the details of individual clearances or national security as a matter of course.

What are the terms of reference of the review into the FCDO and UKSC vetting process; who will undertake the review; and who it will report to.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

With reference to the Cabinet Office document Publication regarding events surrounding the granting of Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson, dated 17 April 2026, which boxes were ticked by UKSV in relation to Lord Mandelson’s vetting for the (a) level of concern and (b) overall decision or recommendation boxes.

I refer the Hon Member to Prime Minister’s Questions on 22 April 2026, Official Report, Column 317

With reference to the Cabinet Office document Publication regarding events surrounding the granting of Developed Vetting to Peter Mandelson, dated 17 April 2026, if he will place in the Library a copy of the full template form.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and the Government’s response to the debate of 21 April, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament’s instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.

Whether Morgan McSweeney fully passed security clearance and vetting.

We do not comment on the details of individual clearances or national security as a matter of course.

With reference to the submission from Simon Case of 11 November 2024 disclosed in Volume 1 of the Government response to the humble Address on Lord Mandelson, what consideration was given by the Prime Minister to undertaking the UKSV security checks on Lord Mandelson before the appointment was publicly announced.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26.

If he will make it his policy that the Government’s Volume 2 response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson includes the disclosure of all communications relating to the conclusions of UK Security Vetting's security vetting on Lord Mandelson.

I refer you to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 20 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.

Whether the Cabinet Office was aware that Lord Mandelson failed his Developed Vetting when the Volume 1 of the Government response to the humble Address was laid on 11 March 2026.

I refer the hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26.

On what date the Prime Minister first became aware that Lord Mandelson had not received full security vetting clearance.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26.

Whether (a) No10 private office, (b) the No10 appointments unit and (c) Morgan McSweeney were told in 2025 that Lord Mandelson had not fully followed his security vetting.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26.

On what date (a) civil servants, (b) No10 political office staff and (c) special advisers in the Office of the Prime Minister first became aware that Lord Mandelson had not received full security vetting clearance.

I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made by the Prime Minister on Security Vetting on the 20 April 2026, Official Report, Column 23-26.

With reference to the UK Security Vetting document entitled DV - Guidance Pack for Applicants, updated on 23 September 2024, if he will set out the circumstances in which senior civil servants can be appointed to Civil Service roles requiring Developed Vetting (DV) clearance where they have failed their DV security vetting.

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) provides a range of independent vetting services designed to identify potential personnel security risks. However, the employing department ultimately owns the risk of any appointment decision. Senior officials with responsibility for personnel security within their department evaluate vetting outcomes alongside the specific requirements of a post and the organisation's risk appetite.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2026 to Question 110816 on Gordon Brown, whether the letter from Gordon Brown and reply will be disclosed as part of the response to the Humble Address on Lord Mandelson.

I refer you to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address.